Bridgestone Employee Charged with Theft of Trade Secrets

U.S. Attorney’s Office
April 26, 2012

Northern District of Ohio(216) 622-3600

An information has been filed charging Xiaorong Wang with theft of trade secrets, said Steven M. Dettelbach, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio; and Stephen Anthony, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cleveland office.

Wang, age 50, resides in Hudson, Ohio, according to court records.

“Stealing trade secrets is no different from stealing someone’s cash or property,” Dettelbach said. “Fighting theft of trade secrets is a priority in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”

“Dr. Wang used his insider status at one of the leading tire and rubber businesses to steal valuable trade secrets,” Anthony said. “The FBI is committed to continue working with Bridgestone as well as any other business that has been victimized by trade secret theft. Combating serious and economic national security threats will continue to be an FBI priority.”

Wang was employed as a research scientist at the Bridgestone Center for Research and Technology in Akron, Ohio from May 1995 until he was terminated on April 14, 2010. This Bridgestone facility was responsible for conducting research and development for various product lines, including tire, rubber, and other polymer-related development, according to the information.

The information further alleges that on April 14 and 15, 2010, Wang stole Bridgestone’s proprietary trade secret information pertaining to Project 610.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant’s role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation. In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum, and in most cases, it will be less than the maximum.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John D. Sammon, Justin E. Herdman, and Christian H. Stickan following an investigation by the Akron Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An information is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.